Donald H Oertle

US Patent:

42978858, Nov 3, 1981

Filed:

Oct 24, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/087918

Inventors:

Norman W. Hein - Ponca City OK
Donald H. Oertle - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73587

Abstract:

Initiation and propagation of cracks in materials is detected and monitored by (a) adhering an acoustical emitter to the area of the material to be monitored, and (b) monitoring for acoustical signals emitted by the adhered emitter, said signals produced by cracks in the material initiating in or propagating into the acoustical emitter. An acoustical emitter such as brittle plastic, glass rods or strips and metal such as tin or cadmium can be used.

US Patent:

45037108, Mar 12, 1985

Filed:

Jun 8, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/502037

Inventors:

Donald H. Oertle - Ponca City OK
Randall G. Ivie - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

G01N 1908

US Classification:

73763

Abstract:

Early detection of cracks in structural members subject to stress is accomplished before cracks traverse the member by (a) affixing multiple liquid impermeable enclosures to the material to be monitored such that a crack forming in the monitored material will provide passage for liquid to enter the enclosures either through the monitored materials or by destroying the integrity of said liquid impermeable enclosures; (b) sealing a resistor having a known value onto each of the enclosures, each of the resistors having one lead capable of liquid contact within the enclosure, said lead electrically isolated from the material being monitored and/or a second wire in the enclosures; (c) forming a circuit connecting the multiple enclosures wherein the opposite resistor leads in each enclosure are connected by insulated wire to means for measuring resistance and/or conductance wherein each resistor alone or together with any combination of other resistors in said enclosures within the circuit provides a unique total resistance and/or conductance value if the exposed lead becomes liquid wet, and (d) monitoring resistance and/or conductance of the circuit, such that a crack in a monitored material will destroy the integrity of the enclosure, allowing the liquid to enter the enclosure and complete the circuit, wherein the location of each fluid filled enclosure is determined by the unique resistance and/or conductance measured.

US Patent:

43041353, Dec 8, 1981

Filed:

Apr 16, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/140940

Inventors:

Marvin L. Peterson - Ponca City OK
Norman W. Hein - Ponca City OK
Donald H. Oertle - Ponca City OK
Steven E. Hawkins - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

G01N 1908

US Classification:

73799

Abstract:

A dual element strain gauge is placed near a welded or otherwise constrained joint on a structural member so as to provide a constraint factor. The location for the strain gauge must be selected to provide constraint factor that is preferably near either maximum or minimum value. The strain gauge is monitored to detect a change in the initial constraint factor, which indicates failure has begun or is imminent.

US Patent:

39425460, Mar 9, 1976

Filed:

Sep 11, 1973

Appl. No.:

5/396170

Inventors:

Frederick J. Radd - Ponca City OK
Donald H. Oertle - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Continental Oil Company - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

G05D 1113
G01N 3104

US Classification:

137 93

Abstract:

A simple apparatus and process for monitoring a selected component of a fluid system are provided wherein the apparatus comprises a simple diffusion probe, an electronic pumping means and a reading means whereby the diffusion and pumping rate are read directly as electrical current.

US Patent:

41459156, Mar 27, 1979

Filed:

Mar 20, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/890559

Inventors:

Donald H. Oertle - Ponca City OK
Marvin L. Peterson - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Continental Oil Company - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

G01M 304

US Classification:

73 37

Abstract:

Early detection of cracks in non-permeable, structural members subject to stress is effected before the cracks traverse the member by: (a) forming a cavity in the structural member or adjacent thereto such that a crack forming in the structural member provides a passage for a fluid to flow between the environment and the cavity without passing through the entire structural member, (b) sealing a fluid passageway in fluid communication from the cavity to a source of pressure different than ambient pressure at the structural member and to a pressure sensor, (c) imparting a higher or lower pressure to the cavity and the fluid passageway, and, (d) monitoring the internal pressure in the cavity and fluid passageway with the pressure sensor, Such that a crack in the structural member penetrating to the cavity allows passage of fluid between the environment and the cavity and is thus detected by the pressure sensor. The apparatus and process is particularly applicable to early detection with vacuum of cracks in the heat affected zone adjacent to welds on critical stressed members of an offshore platform. A strain guage system may be employed in conjunction with the crack detection system.

US Patent:

41799402, Dec 25, 1979

Filed:

Oct 2, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/947809

Inventors:

Donald H. Oertle - Ponca City OK
Marvin L. Peterson - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Conoco, Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

G01N 332

US Classification:

73808

Abstract:

Crack initiation in metallic structural members subject to cyclic loading is predicted by sensing metallurgical changes taking place as a result of the cyclic loading. Fatigue loading produces a cycle comprising a condition described as fatigue relaxation followed by fatigue intensification. By monitoring this cycle, measured strain for a known applied load will increase or decrease. By monitoring the change in strain load, crack initiation can be predicted as fatigue relaxation becomes fatigue intensification. In a preferred embodiment, the strain gauge is mounted beneath a patch excluding ambient atmosphere during monitoring of the structural members.

US Patent:

41398149, Feb 13, 1979

Filed:

Feb 22, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/770870

Inventors:

Fred J. Radd - Ponca City OK
Donald H. Oertle - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Continental Oil Company - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

G01N 2700

US Classification:

324 33

Abstract:

Corrosion at the interface of concrete and reinforcing steel in a concrete structure is determined by placing a hollow hydrogen-permeable probe in the concrete, connecting a getter-ion pump to the probe, and monitoring the output current of the getter-ion pump. An increase in output current is indicative of corrosion occurring at the probe-concrete interface, which in turn is indicative of corrosion at the interface of concrete and steel reinforcing members at comparable locations in the structure.

US Patent:

41435400, Mar 13, 1979

Filed:

Dec 27, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/864574

Inventors:

Marvin L. Peterson - Ponca City OK
Donald H. Oertle - Ponca City OK

Assignee:

Continental Oil Company - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

G01M 314
G01N 3320

US Classification:

73 40

Abstract:

The integrity of corrosion prevention sheaths of corrosive-resistant metal employed to prevent member corrosion on off-shore platforms is monitored by incorporation of a pressure sensing line sealed into the zone between the sheath and the member. This apparatus allows monitoring members in the splash zone as well as stressed areas such as weld joints which are subject to corrosive environments.